Chapter Four: An Encounter with an Old Foe

Xiao Han drove the van at full speed, racing away from the pursuing zombies. Wu Jue lay flat in the back, watching the monsters through the rear window. Though they continued their desperate chase, their speed was no match for the vehicle.

“Thank goodness this car still works—that was a close call!” Xiao Han couldn’t help but exclaim.

Wu Jue, however, understood that their escape was nothing more than a stroke of luck. From Huron’s memories, he knew that the Heaven’s Retribution warriors were divided into several ranks. These zombies were the lowest tier, able to turn any living thing they bit into one of their own, multiplying rapidly.

Should they encounter warriors of a higher rank, those would possess greater speed, sharper intelligence, and even the ability to wield advanced tools in pursuit.

Above them, the colossal battleship of the Heaven’s Retribution clan prowled the sky, ever watchful. It was likely already tracking their movements, ready to strike at any moment.

If the battleship attacked, the consequences would be catastrophic.

Wu Jue stared out the window, searching for any passage leading underground. In the worst case, they would have no choice but to hide below to escape, even if only temporarily.

While they fled for their lives, the few surviving humans around them began to beg for help, hoping to catch a ride.

Xiao Han instinctively slowed down and asked, “Master, should we take them with us?”

Wu Jue, guided by his own conscience, believed a monk ought to save all beings. Yet Huron’s experience warned him that bringing these people along would only spell their doom. The car was a conspicuous target; any attack from the battleship would result in more deaths.

He rolled down the window and called out to the people chasing them, “Don’t panic! The car is too small to take many and will only draw the enemy’s attention—”

Before he could finish, someone threw themselves at the door, desperate to force their way inside. A woman, holding a child aloft, pleaded, “Take the baby, please! He’s still so little—give him a chance to live.”

Staring at the infant still swaddled in cloth, both Wu Jue and Xiao Han felt their hearts sink. It was an agonizing decision.

Before they could act, a thunderous roar split the air—the battleship unleashed its fearsome weapon, targeting them.

Wu Jue instantly sensed the danger and shouted, “Scatter! The enemy is about to attack! If we stay together, none of us will escape!”

He turned quickly to Xiao Han: “Stop the car! We have to get out!”

Xiao Han slammed on the brakes, and the van screeched to a halt. But those who had caught up were now frenzied, doing anything to cram themselves inside.

With no other option, Wu Jue leapt from the vehicle, grabbing four or five people and dragging them away with all his might.

A moment later, a blaze erupted behind them as merciless firepower rained down, engulfing the car and those nearby in devastation.

The sight was enough to shake any witness to the core—greater horrors still awaited them. Earthquakes, then zombies, and now powerful alien weaponry. In such an apocalypse, where could one possibly find a safe haven?

Amid the carnage, Wu Jue stood expressionless. Gazing at the ruin, he pressed his palms together and chanted, “Amitabha—may the Buddha have mercy on all living things. May this disaster come to an end.”

His prayer was interrupted by a startling vision: from within the flames strode a figure—strong, terrifying—carrying a dozen wounded survivors out of the inferno.

It was none other than his old nemesis, the cult leader Desai.

“Desai, you’re still alive?” Wu Jue clenched his fists, charging forward without warning and unleashing a punch with all his strength.

The force was overwhelming, the greatest blow he had ever delivered since receiving Huron’s gift. After decades of grueling practice, his Diamond Fist now revealed its true might.

With a crash, his fist struck something solid. Desai had raised his left palm, half-crouched, blocking the attack. Taking a step back, he sneered, “Stubborn monk, are you still hung up on grudges from centuries past? We’re both reborn in this world, caught in the apocalypse. If you only care about settling old scores instead of surviving, you’re a fool.”

Wu Jue’s hands shifted, launching a flurry of attacks with seamless speed. “Demon, don’t try to deceive me with your words. No matter where you go, you can never change your evil nature. I will kill you and rid the world of your poison!”

“Rid the world of evil?” Desai parried, a cold smile on his lips. “Think about it—who just saved those people? Do you really believe you alone can change fate? Look up—the enemy above is preparing to strike again.”

He thrust a finger toward the sky. The gigantic battleship was drifting closer, ready to unleash a second assault.

Wu Jue looked around at the desperate people, their eyes filled with terror and hope. In the chaos, Desai had saved them—something Wu Jue himself had failed to do. The former villain had done what he could not.

“Are you buying their loyalty?” Wu Jue’s fists tightened, rage and turmoil surging within him.

Yet in that moment, reason prevailed. Survival was all that mattered in this ruined world.

Drawing on Huron’s memories, Wu Jue turned to the others. “Go! We’ll cover you!”

Then, keeping a wary eye on Desai, he said, “If you truly want to save them, help me distract the enemy. Are you willing to make that sacrifice, Desai?”

Desai laughed wildly. “Teaming up with you, Wu Jue? That’s almost amusing. Then enough talk—let’s act.”

With a flash, Desai darted toward the Heaven’s Retribution battleship, charging directly into danger.

Wu Jue’s expression darkened. Perhaps plunging into the lion’s den was their only hope.

To his astonishment, Desai had mastered human technology—he commandeered a battered motorcycle, weaving through monsters and heading straight for the enemy.

Wu Jue knew he had no chance of catching up on foot.

Just then, Xiao Han arrived on an electric bike. “Master, let me give you a lift. We’ll fight side by side.”

They sped after Desai, warning survivors along the way to seek shelter underground.

By now the enemy battleship had sensed Wu Jue and Desai’s counterattack. A small airship detached from the main vessel, speeding toward Desai. In a flash, it fired a blinding beam of light. The ground erupted in smoke and flame, leaving a gaping crater.

Desai had vanished.

End of Chapter Four: A Fateful Encounter